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New Testament and Jewish History Timeline

From the birth of Jesus through Jerusalem’s modern history
New Testament dates are approximate where Scripture does not supply an exact calendar date. Later entries summarize major events affecting the Jewish people, Jerusalem, and the State of Israel. The political and legal status of Jerusalem remains disputed internationally.
Beginning Roman Era Muslim Era Medieval Era Modern Israel Miracles ▶ Parables ▶ Prophecies▶
c. 6–4 BC
Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
Jesus is born during the reign of Herod the Great.
Matthew 1–2; Luke 1–2
c. AD 8
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
At about twelve years old, Jesus speaks with the teachers in Jerusalem.
Luke 2:41–52
AD 26–27
John the Baptist Begins His Ministry
John calls Israel to repentance and prepares the way for the Messiah.
Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3; John 1
c. AD 27
Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
Jesus is baptized, receives the Spirit, and is tempted in the wilderness.
Matthew 3–4; Mark 1; Luke 3–4
AD 27–30
Public Ministry of Jesus
Jesus teaches throughout Galilee and Judea, announces the kingdom of God, heals the sick, and calls disciples.
Matthew 4–25; Mark 1–13; Luke 4–21; John 2–12
c. AD 30
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem and is acclaimed as the Son of David and King of Israel.
Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12
c. AD 30
Last Supper and Arrest
Jesus shares the Passover meal with His disciples, prays in Gethsemane, and is arrested.
Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 13–18
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
Jesus is crucified outside Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate.
Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19
c. AD 30
Resurrection of Jesus
On the third day the tomb is found empty and the risen Jesus appears to His followers.
Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20–21
c. AD 30
Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascends from the Mount of Olives and commissions His disciples as witnesses.
Acts 1:1–12
c. AD 30
Pentecost and Birth of the Church
The Holy Spirit is poured out in Jerusalem; about three thousand believe.
Acts 2
AD 30s
The Jerusalem Church Grows
The apostles preach in the Temple; believers share their possessions and care for the needy.
Acts 3–6
AD 30s
Stephen Martyred
Stephen is killed after testifying before the council; persecution scatters believers from Jerusalem.
Acts 7–8
c. AD 33–36
Conversion of Saul
Saul encounters the risen Christ and becomes a chosen messenger to the nations.
Acts 9; 22; 26
AD 30s–40s
The Gospel Reaches Samaritans and Gentiles
Philip preaches in Samaria; Peter is sent to Cornelius, showing that Gentiles are welcomed by faith.
Acts 8; 10–11
c. AD 44
Herod Agrippa I Persecutes the Church
James the son of Zebedee is executed and Peter is imprisoned but miraculously released.
Acts 12
AD 46–48
Paul’s First Missionary Journey
Paul and Barnabas preach in Cyprus and Asia Minor.
Acts 13–14
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
Church leaders affirm that Gentile believers are not required to become Jewish proselytes.
Acts 15
AD 49–52
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
The gospel advances into Macedonia and Greece, including Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.
Acts 16–18
AD 53–57
Paul’s Third Missionary Journey
Paul ministers extensively in Ephesus and revisits churches in Macedonia and Greece.
Acts 18:23–21:17
c. AD 57
Paul Arrested in Jerusalem
A riot follows Paul’s visit to the Temple; he is taken into Roman custody.
Acts 21–23
AD 57–59
Paul Imprisoned at Caesarea
Paul gives his defense before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa.
Acts 24–26
AD 59–60
Paul Voyages to Rome
After shipwreck on Malta, Paul reaches Rome as a prisoner and continues preaching.
Acts 27–28
AD 60s
Apostolic Witness Spreads Across the Roman World
The New Testament letters guide growing churches amid opposition and doctrinal challenges.
Romans through Jude
AD 66–70
First Jewish–Roman War
Jewish revolt against Rome leads to a devastating war throughout Judea.
Historical event
AD 70
Jerusalem and the Second Temple Destroyed
Roman forces under Titus capture Jerusalem and destroy the Temple, fulfilling Jesus’ warning that the buildings would be thrown down.
Matthew 24:1–2; Luke 19:41–44; 21:20–24
c. AD 70–100
Completion of the New Testament Writings
The Gospels, letters, and Revelation circulate among the churches; exact dates remain debated.
New Testament writings
AD 73–74
Fall of Masada
The Roman siege of Masada ends one of the final centers of resistance from the revolt.
Historical event
AD 132–135
Bar Kokhba Revolt
A second major Jewish revolt against Rome is crushed after severe losses.
Historical event
AD 135
Jerusalem Reorganized as Aelia Capitolina
Rome bars most Jews from Jerusalem and develops the city as a Roman colony.
Historical event
AD 313
Christianity Legalized in the Roman Empire
The Edict of Milan ends official persecution and changes the status of Christians throughout the empire.
Historical event
AD 614
Persian Capture of Jerusalem
Sasanian Persian forces seize Jerusalem during war with the Byzantine Empire.
Historical event
AD 638
Jerusalem Comes Under Muslim Rule
Caliph Umar receives the city following the Byzantine defeat.
Historical event
AD 691
Dome of the Rock Completed
The Islamic shrine is built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Historical event
AD 705
Al-Aqsa Mosque Completed
The Umayyad caliph al-Walid completes a major mosque on the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif.
Historical event
AD 750
Abbasid Rule Replaces the Umayyads
Jerusalem passes under the Abbasid Caliphate as political power shifts from Damascus to Baghdad.
Historical event
AD 969
Fatimid Rule Begins
The Fatimid Caliphate takes Jerusalem and governs the city from Egypt until the Seljuk advance in the eleventh century.
Historical event
AD 1099
Crusaders Capture Jerusalem
The First Crusade takes Jerusalem and establishes a Latin Christian kingdom.
Historical event
AD 1187
Saladin Recaptures Jerusalem
Muslim forces recover Jerusalem after the Battle of Hattin.
Historical event
AD 1260
Mamluk Rule Begins
Jerusalem comes under the Mamluk Sultanate, which governs the city until the Ottoman conquest of 1517.
Historical event
AD 1290
Jews Expelled from England
King Edward I orders the expulsion of Jews from England.
Historical event
AD 1492
Jews Expelled from Spain
The Alhambra Decree requires practicing Jews to leave Spain or convert.
Historical event
AD 1517
Ottoman Rule Begins in Jerusalem
The Ottoman Empire takes Jerusalem and governs it for roughly four centuries.
Historical event
AD 1537–1541
Walls of Jerusalem Rebuilt
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent rebuilds the walls that still surround Jerusalem’s Old City.
Historical event
AD 1897
First Zionist Congress
Theodor Herzl convenes the congress at Basel to organize the modern Zionist movement.
Historical event
AD 1917
Balfour Declaration
The British government announces support for a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine while referring to the rights of existing non-Jewish communities.
Historical event
AD 1917
British Forces Enter Jerusalem
General Edmund Allenby enters Jerusalem as Ottoman rule ends during World War I.
Historical event
AD 1922
British Mandate for Palestine Begins
The League of Nations confirms Britain’s administration of Palestine.
Historical event
AD 1933–1945
The Holocaust
Nazi Germany and its collaborators murder six million Jews and millions of other victims.
Historical event
AD 1947
United Nations Partition Plan
UN General Assembly Resolution 181 recommends separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under a special international regime.
Historical event
May 14, 1948
State of Israel Declares Independence
Jewish leaders proclaim the establishment of the State of Israel as the British Mandate ends.
Historical event
1948–1949
Arab–Israeli War
Neighboring Arab states enter the conflict following Israel’s declaration of independence; armistice agreements are signed in 1949.
Historical event
1948–1967
Jerusalem Divided
West Jerusalem is controlled by Israel; East Jerusalem and the Old City are controlled by Jordan.
Historical event
1956
Suez Crisis / Sinai War
Israel, Britain, and France attack Egypt after the nationalization of the Suez Canal; international pressure leads to withdrawal.
Historical event
June 5–10, 1967
Six-Day War
Israel fights Egypt, Jordan, and Syria and takes the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights.
Historical event
June 1967
Israel Takes East Jerusalem and the Old City
Israeli forces take East Jerusalem, including the Old City and Western Wall, during the Six-Day War.
Historical event
1967
Jerusalem’s Municipal Boundaries Expanded
Israel extends its law and administration to East Jerusalem and surrounding areas; the city’s status remains internationally disputed.
Historical event
October 1973
Yom Kippur War
Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur; the war ends with cease-fires and later diplomatic negotiations.
Historical event
1978
Camp David Accords
Egypt and Israel agree on frameworks that lead to peace and Israeli withdrawal from Sinai.
Historical event
1979
Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty
Egypt becomes the first Arab state to recognize Israel formally; Israel agrees to withdraw from Sinai.
Historical event
1980
Jerusalem Law
Israel’s Basic Law declares Jerusalem, complete and united, to be the capital of Israel; the international status of Jerusalem remains contested.
Historical event
1982
First Lebanon War
Israel invades Lebanon amid conflict with the Palestine Liberation Organization and regional forces.
Historical event
1987–1993
First Intifada
A Palestinian uprising begins in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Historical event
1993
Oslo Accords
Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization exchange recognition and begin a negotiated interim process.
Historical event
1994
Israel–Jordan Peace Treaty
Jordan becomes the second Arab state to sign a peace treaty with Israel.
Historical event
2000–2005
Second Intifada
A second Palestinian uprising brings intense violence in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Historical event
2005
Israeli Disengagement from Gaza
Israel removes its settlements and permanent ground forces from inside the Gaza Strip.
Historical event
2006
Second Lebanon War
Israel and Hezbollah fight a 34-day war centered in Lebanon and northern Israel.
Historical event
2008–2009
Gaza War
Israel and Hamas fight a major conflict after escalating rocket fire and hostilities.
Historical event
2012
Palestine Receives UN Non-Member Observer State Status
The UN General Assembly grants Palestine non-member observer State status.
Historical event
December 6, 2017
United States Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital
President Donald Trump announces U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and directs preparations to move the U.S. embassy.
Historical event
May 14, 2018
United States Embassy Opens in Jerusalem
The United States formally opens its embassy in Jerusalem on the seventieth anniversary of Israel’s declaration of independence.
Historical event
September 15, 2020
Abraham Accords Signed
Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States announce an agreement to normalize relations, opening a new era of cooperation between Israel and Arab nations.
Historical event
October 7, 2023
Hamas Attack on Israel
Hamas launches a large-scale attack from Gaza, killing about 1,200 people and taking hostages. Israel declares war, leading to the ongoing Gaza conflict and major regional repercussions.
Historical event
Historical scope: This timeline highlights selected major events rather than every ruler, conflict, migration, or diplomatic agreement. “Expulsion from Britain” is stated more precisely as the expulsion of Jews from England in 1290. The Spanish expulsion occurred in 1492.
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